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Sailing away on the Bay

Mason-Dixon Arrive, June 2005

The Chesapeake Bay’s approximately 4,000 miles of shoreline offer endless opportunities to discover quiet hideaways, exciting ports of call and sleepy, quaint towns rich in history. When the weekend rolls around, sailors look to hit the open waters for some time on the Bay. If you’re looking for a weekend trip on your sailboat, where should you go? Chesapeake City, North East, Annapolis, Baltimore, St. Michaels, Easton, Oxford, Tilghman Island … the list goes on and on. Of course, where you dock your boat and its size will determine where you can go for a two- or three-day trip. As a recent sailboat owner, I’m anxious to explore all the Bay has to offer. So, here are three popular weekend trips that encompass several ports of call.

Let’s go antiquing!

Mason-Dixon Arrive, March 2004

There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road on a Saturday afternoon in the spring to escape the house and all of life’s responsibilities and demands. If you feel the need to escape your environs and have some cash that’s burning a hole in your pocket, why not hit the road in search of that one-of-a-kind find – whether it’s an exquisite fine piece of antique furniture from the 1800s or simply a small collectible that will make a great conversation starter in your home? Of course, you don’t have to actually buy something during your antique road trip; sometimes half the fun can be the search. Popping in small shops and perusing through larger antique malls and digging through the hundreds of offerings can be exhilarating.

The Mason-Dixon Line’s real origins

Mason-Dixon Arrive, March 2004

Most people know that the Mason-Dixon Line separates Maryland from Pennsylvania, but if you ask people what they think of first when you say, “Mason-Dixon Line,” many will say, “slavery,” as in the Mason-Dixon Line separated the free states from the slave states during the Civil War. However, the origins of the Mason-Dixon Line have nothing to do with slavery and predate the Civil War by more than 200 years.

It's Fiesta Time!

Mason-Dixon Arrive, March, 2006

When you think of getting out the good china to set the table for a gathering of friends or family for a dinner party, you’ll likely consider your wedding china or other everyday china that you certainly wouldn’t use every day. One of the most collected china lines in the country for 70 years is definitely not your grandmother’s dainty Limoges. Fiesta dinnerware adds more than a dash of color to the dining experience, offering a dizzying number of colors that turn the formal dining room table into a rainbow of bright colors.

Sotterley: A Riverbank Treasure

Mason-Dixon Arrive, December 2006

When Americans look to hit the road to visit a historic home museum, the names Monticello and Mount Vernon immediately may pop to mind. Monticello, the grand mountaintop mansion that was home to Thomas Jefferson, and Mount Vernon, George and Martha Washington’s home for 40 years, are American icons. However, if you’re looking to step back in time and explore a grand estate that actually predates both Monticello and Mount Vernon, head south to Sotterley Mansion, a National Historic Landmark located in St. Mary’s County, less than 15 miles from historic St. Mary’s City, the site of the founding of the Colony of Maryland in 1634.

Main Street, Carroll County

Mason-Dixon Arrive, November 2006

Ahh … the holidays. A special time in America dedicated to conspicuous consumption! This holiday season, resist the temptation to rush out to a nearby mall to tackle your entire shopping list in one day. Instead, discover the special gifts found off the beaten path on an old-fashioned “Main Street.” Sample Carroll County’s small towns, stroll downtown shops, sample local cuisine and stop to enjoy the view along the way. With the countryside dotted with old barns and Civil War markers, by the time you’ve completed your journey, you’ll know why so many people have recently moved to the towns of this pleasant county.

Solid as a Rock

Mason-Dixon Arrive, May 2006

In celebration of its 300th anniversary, a walking tour of historic Rockland Village in Baltimore County will be held on May 20 as part of the Maryland Home and Garden Pilgrimage. Rockland Village – the oldest continuously inhabited mill village in America – was first inhabited by the Susquehannock Indians and was surveyed in 1660. In 1706, Richard Gist had 200 acres surveyed and patented as “Turkey Cock Hall,” which remains today. The tour will include the Rockland Grist Mill, Stone Row (a group of eight four-story stone houses built between 1820-1830), several historic homes along Falls Road and Stone Mill Road and the Rockland Tavern, which in 1950 was converted into a single residence and is now the home of Thomas Bruggman and his wife, Julie. Bruggman, a 26-year resident of Rockland Village, is co-chairperson for the Rockland Village tour.

An oasis in the City

Mason-Dixon Arrive, May 2006

Spring means the arrival of many things – flowers, baseball, warmer temperatures, our feathered friends and longer days. Another annual pastime this time of year is home tours where generous homeowners open their doors to the public so that home and garden enthusiasts can take a peak into some of the area’s most glorious homes for inspiration and ideas, while helping preserve and restore architecturally significant properties in the State of Maryland.

Washington’s Proud Neighborhoods:
Walking Through Culture and History

Mason-Dixon Arrive, March 2007

Tourists flock from all over the world to Washington, D.C., to sightsee around the National Mall’s iconic museums, monuments and memorials, and learn more about our nation’s history and government. At the end of this month, thousands will converge on D.C., for one of the most popular events in the Nation’s Capital – the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which commemorates the original gift of the 3,000 cherry trees from the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, D.C. Sure, seeing the new World War II Memorial, touring the Smithsonian Museums or climbing up the gigantic marble staircase to Abraham Lincoln are rites of passage for all Americans. Having done that, the next time you visit Washington, D.C., take one of the many self-guided Heritage Trails tours that will take you away from the throngs of tour buses and deep into D.C.’s unique and fascinating neighborhoods. Discover what few tourists learn – that D.C., is truly a city of neighborhoods, each worth exploring in their own right.

Growing with Grace:
Blending the Old with the New in Roland Park

Mason-Dixon Arrive, February 2007

When homeowners Jeanne Paynter and Jim Farley decided to spruce up the kitchen in their 1920s Roland Park house, they had no idea where the project would lead them. Little did they know that a planned one-room renovation would lead to a nine-month project that would include a substantial addition to their home, doubling its size. As with any renovation, there were obstacles along the way, but when you’re dealing with a historic home set in a tony neighborhood, the list of challenges grows. Luckily, the energetic couple, interior designer and contractor were up to the task.

Architectural Gems Open Doors in Glencoe

Mason-Dixon Arrive, May 2007

The 70th annual Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage’s (MHGP) statewide home tour continues this month with a stop in Baltimore County’s historic Glencoe on Saturday, May 12 from 10am to 5pm. While all the segments of the MHGP’s tour are fascinating, what makes the Baltimore County one truly unique is the mélange of different structures - everything from a 230-plus-year-old farm to the smallest post office in the United States to the home of the inventor of shredded wheat.

Historic Glyndon on tour: Doorways To The Past

Mason-Dixon Arrive, May 2007

For many Mason-Dixon area residents, a rite of passage each year in May is the abundance of fascinating home tours that focus on architectural heritage, glorious home interiors and picturesque gardens in full bloom. A new entry this spring is Doorways to the Past, a home and garden tour centered on Historic Glyndon, Baltimore County’s first historic district.

Living in the City

Mason-Dixon Arrive, June 2007

The aging Baby Boomer generation has garnered a significant amount of press the past few years, as the “graying” of this large segment of the population will have an important effect on several areas – medicine, Social Security and housing, among others. Those entering their early 60s seem to dominate the news, but we don’t hear so much about their healthy elders, those who shaped the Baby Boomer generation. These are our parents and grandparents, those who are still actively pursuing their passions, be it arts, culture, politics or fitness. They mix and mingle in all manner of classes and activities to keep their minds open and fresh. They debate politics, they discuss movies and books, they work out and travel. These are the types of people you’ll find in today’s retirement communities.

Christine Graefe Drewyer Celebrates Natural Beauty

Mason-Dixon Arrive, October 2007

Just about every political discussion these days covers a topic growing in importance by the minute – the environment. Thanks to the Oscar-winning documentary film, An Inconvenient Truth, more and more Americans have become aware of the responsibility we all have to protect our Mother Earth. However, politics is not alone as an aspect of everyday life that has been affected by the importance of talking about the environment. Art, too, can open minds and generate passionate discussion on this emotionally charged issue – one that touches every human emotion.

Add Some Glorious Color to Your Yard

Mason-Dixon Arrive, October 2007

Watching the leaves on trees and shrubs transform from summer’s green to vibrant gold, orange, red, burgundy and purple is an annual rite of passage and signals the onset of autumn. As you drive around the region this time of year, myriad colors appear, painting a tapestry on the Mason-Dixon landscape.

Modern Family at Home in the Kitchen

Mason-Dixon Arrive, September 2007

There’s no denying that over the past few years, the kitchen’s importance in the home has grown exponentially. What used to be an area reserved for cooking meals for the family and subsequent cleaning of the dishes has evolved into the emotional and spiritual center of the home, a place where couples get together to review their day, families gather for quality time while kids do their homework at the kitchen table and friends gather during dinner parties and holiday bashes. Even in homes with cavernous dens and dining rooms, more often than not, family and friends end up in the kitchen, sipping a glass of wine and enjoying conversation. It’s this movement to the kitchen that inspired a Baltimore couple to renovate their outdated kitchen and create a space that’s both elegant and comfortable for today’s lifestyle.

Sailors Invade Annapolis!

Mason-Dixon Arrive, September 2007

Annapolis is known for a lot of things – the U.S. Naval Academy, charming shops, Colonial and Federal architecture and world-class seafood. However, one of the state capital’s proudest distinctions is its international reputation as the epicenter of sailing. No matter where you go worldwide, mention Annapolis in sailing circles, and sailors know immediately what city you are talking about, so it’s no wonder that the United States Sailboat Show has been held in this Colonial port for the past 37 years.

Sweet Retreat: Hershey, Pa.

Mason-Dixon Arrive, February 2008

There’s just nothing sweeter than chocolate, and this month as Valentine’s Day urges everyone to be sweet to a loved one, for many, chocolate is the recipe for romance. So, if you love chocolate (who doesn’t?), head to “The Sweetest Place on Earth,” Hershey, Pa., home to the four-diamond Hershey Hotel, a quaint downtown, an amusement park, world-class spa and, of course, the Hershey Company. And, like everything in Hershey, a trip here is all about the chocolate.

An Unlikely Solution: Concrete Countertops

Mason-Dixon Arrive, February 2008

It’s quite rare when you buy a house – especially an older one – to find one that is perfect in every way. Almost always, you have to make a sacrifice here and there. Maybe you love the number of bedrooms and bathrooms but the kitchen is original ‘40’s, or the house is perfect inside but lacks a backyard or parking.

Antiques Roadshow: 2008 Season Opens In Baltimore

Mason-Dixon Arrive, January 2008

When I heard that PBS' insanely popular show “Antiques Roadshow” was coming to Baltimore last summer to tape three episodes for the new season, I had to be there. Who hasn't watched this show at some point and been captivated by the interesting items that are appraised and anxiously waited for the appraiser to reveal the true value to the owner? Responses range from “Oh, my goodness, I had no idea it was worth that much” to “That's it? Why have I been hanging onto this piece of junk?” The unscripted responses on the show have become so popular that the television show “Will and Grace” even dedicated an episode spoofing the surprising responses shown on “Antiques Roadshow.”

What’s HOT at the Spa!

Mason-Dixon Arrive, January 2008

A New Year brings a fresh outlook on life and a chance to start anew. Whether it’s looking for a new career or relationship, going back to school or getting in shape, January is the time to say “goodbye” to last year and “hello” to a New Year. And while weight loss and exercise are usually the primary body focus points for most people, why not start the year off by pledging to take care of your skin, body and soul by taking advantage of some of the exciting new services and medical advancements found at area spas? The Mason-Dixon region is home to a bevy of fabulous spas, each offering their own approach to skincare, body treatments, massages and spiritual and mental awareness. So, treat yourself for surviving the holidays and do something wonderful for your body and soul.

Sweet Caroline: Hidden Gem on the Eastern Shore

Mason-Dixon Arrive, May 2008

As the temperature begins to rise and summer beckons in the distance, the call of the Bay Bridge begins, urging us to head south, cross the bridge and explore the Eastern Shore. And while hot spots such as Ocean City, St. Michaels, Rehoboth and Easton may seem like natural ports of call across the Bay Bridge, there’s another destination that should be on your itinerary, a more rural, quieter location where you’re urged to slow down, yet still packs enough attractions in its boundaries to keep you busy for days. Denton, located along the Choptank River, and the surrounding towns in Caroline County, is this aforementioned place, located just 60 miles from Baltimore and perfect for a day – or weekend – trip.

Be a Tourist in Your Own City

Mason-Dixon Arrive, December 2008

Our editorial mantra here at Mason-Dixon ARRIVE has always been “Go See Something!” It’s our attempt to encourage readers to put aside an afternoon and go explore something new in our wonderful region, or simply rediscover somewhere you haven’t been in a while. Typically, we take you on BackRoads for a day to tucked away gems or to regional destinations for a weekend stay. As December is one of the craziest months for our readers – with holiday parties, shopping, visiting Grandma and entertaining on the docket – I thought it prudent to instead take advantage of what we have right here in our back yard – Baltimore City. Hundreds of thousands of tourists descend on the Inner Harbor each year, while locals tend to avoid it unless family is in town or heading there for a Ravens game or the New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Wine Tunes: Summer Music at the Vineyards

Mason-Dixon Arrive, July 2008

Summer’s here, and quite possibly the hardest decisions every weekend seems to be what fun event or festival to attend, as the Mason-Dixon region really packs the calendar offerings in July. Do you head to a fair and see the adorable animals or attend one of the many ethnic festivals during the summer and expand your horizons? Well, this month, I’ve decided to combine two of my favorite things in life to help give our readers some ideas – wine and music.

Fighting Cancer Every Day

Mason-Dixon Arrive, October 2008

Life is filled with ironies from time to time, some interesting and amusing – others surprising and scary. For Stacey Keen, M.D., eight years ago she dealt with irony, and unfortunately, it was of the latter kind.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Mason-Dixon Arrive, June 1, 2009

I love baseball. And while I am not a statistical maven, I love the simplicity of the game, the ability to be outdoors enjoying a cold beer in the bleachers and the passion displayed by players and fans alike. Even though I grew up in the football-crazed South and graduated from the University of Georgia where football is considered a legitimate religion, my Mom brainwashed me early to be a Chicago Cubs fan (she was raised in Evanston, Ill.), despite knowing that the Cubs would break my heart every year.

Dizzy D.C. Circles
Life Around Dupont Circle and Logan Circle

Mason-Dixon Arrive, May 2009

I remember the first time I drove to Washington, D.C. I was heading to 17th Street for dinner, and I had directions from a co-worker who lived in D.C. She had warned me about the confusing circles – Logan, Dupont, Thomas and Scott – especially at night. I brushed off her warning, as I was used to driving in cities; however, the moment I entered Dupont Circle, I knew the impetus for her warning. Streets shot off in all different directions like bicycle spokes, all with last-minute signs pointing the way to different streets – Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, P Street – and if you are in the wrong lane and need to exit the circle, forget about it; no one’s letting you over, so you might as well circle around and around in a dizzying manner.

Heart Health: Taking Charge

Mason-Dixon Arrive, May 2009

May signals the winding down of school and the heart of spring’s beautiful displays of vibrant colors and delightful weather. And speaking of hearts, May is also a time to celebrate the wonderful, important women in our lives – Mothers. This Mother’s Day, we focus on women who have taken charge of their health and have exhibited a commitment to heart health and living a healthy life. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of American women respectively, and women across the Mason-Dixon region have heeded the call to make dietary and lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of heart disease, live an active life and simply feel better by getting up and getting moving.

Go Red for Women

Mason-Dixon Arrive, February 2009

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women. It’s an indisputable fact, proven by the American Heart Association (AHA); however, many women are at great risk for some form of heart disease – or are already showing symptoms of heart disease – and are not aware of their condition.